DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT Relating to a proposed rear first floor extension at RHYD-Y-FELIN RUGBY CLUB Introduction This Design and AcCess statement has been prepared in support of the appliCation for a rear first floor extension at Rhyd-y-felin RFC in Rhydyfelin, Pontypridd. The proposed extension will enhanCe the life of the building for the benefit of the Community by providing a players lounge and modern kitChen faCilities whiCh will serve the existing rugby Club, established in 1905, whiCh operates from the building (games are played at the ReC, behind Hawthorn leisure Centre). The Design and ACCess Statement will explain the design prinCiples that were applied through the following key areas:- • Character • ACCessibility & Movement • Community Safety • Environmental Sustainability Character The building Currently acCommodates a bar, Cellar and toilets at ground floor lounge, and a funCtion room, small bar and toilets at first floor, a porta Cabin Currently sits on the roof of the ground floor (at first floor level) whiCh is used for Catering purposes. The building takes the form of am L shaped two storey detaChed property whiCh is finished in render (as shown in the photo above) with aCCess doors on the ground floor at the front, side and rear. AcCess to the first floor Can be gained at the rear of the building via a metal stair Case. The building has a pitChed roof to the front and a gable feature extension protruding to the rear as well as a flat roof annexe to the rear. The building is identified by a sign above the ground floor windows on the front elevation of the building. There is no partiCular style or pattern to the windows and the first floor rear element is enclosed by a metal fence approximately 1m high. The Club has a Curtilage to the side and rear used for storage as well as table and Chairs, this area is enClosed by a Close board fenCe. The building is separated from the adjoining property to the south by a narrow alley way. Planning permission is sought to ereCt a first floor extension, replacing the existing porta cabin. The extension will feature a gable end with a pitChed roof and from a design perspeCtive will result in a muCh improved visual appearanCe to the Club. The proposed extension will house a players lounge, toilets, kitChen and bar, and will retain the same footprint. It is proposed that the extension is ConstruCted from ConCrete marley major brown roof tiles to matCh the existing roof (whiCh it will tie into), render and blaCk rainwater goods, and the existing steel fire esCape / external stairCase will be repositioned to acCommodate the extension. The property is situated amongst residential streets, inCluding two storey terraCes as well as CommerCial and Community buildings including a surgery, a pub, shops and take aways. The predominant materials found in the area are render and pebble dash and stone with upvC windows and doors and slate or ConCrete tiled roofs dark in Colour. There are examples of larger CommerCial buildings in the immediate viCinity whiCh make for a varied pattern of development in the area of differing sCale and style. The vast majority of buildings feature a pitChed roof, and as suCh the proposed extension will matCh the character and appearance of the area. The appliCation property lies just west of the CommerCial / retail Centre of Rhydyfelin, and as suCh is within easy walking distanCe of its shops and serviCes. The property shares its southern boundary with residential properties and it fronts onto the A4054 Cardiff Road; the A470 trunk road to Cardiff lies to the north east of the site running in a north-south direction. The river taff lies to the rear of the site. The following doCuments have been referred to in the preparation of this statement whiCh supports the appliCation:- Planning PoliCy Wales 2016 TAN 12: Design Rhondda Cynon Taff LoCal Development Plan policies inCluding:- CS2 – Development in the south, AW2 – Sustainable loCations, AW5 – New Development AW6- Design & PlaCe-making. Accessibility & Movement The appliCation site ConneCts easily with the surrounding area and ensures ease of movement should staff, players or other users Chose to travel by foot, bike or Car. VehiCular and pedestrian routes, publiC and private areas are easily identifiable. The building is aCCessible with level aCCess into the property. VehiCular and pedestrian aCCess to the site is gained via the A4054 Cardiff Road onto Lionel TerraCe. Movement to and from the site is CritiCal to its suCCess and funCtion and it is well served by surfaCed pavements from all surrounding residential areas. Existing patterns of movement and links with the wider Community are not affeCted by the proposed extension. The appliCation site is within 2 miles of Pontypridd train station whiCh has trains operated by Arriva trains Wales to the Rhondda Valleys, Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare as well as south to Cardiff and beyond. Pontypridd bus station lies approximately 2 miles to the north-west of the site on Morgan street. It provides onward travel in and around Pontypridd and its settlements as well as further afield to surrounding towns of Merthyr Tydfil, AberCynon and Mountain Ash as well as to Cardiff and beyond; it is served by Veolia, StageCoaCh and National Express. There are north and south bus stops within Close proximity of the site on Cardiff Road. Adequate off street parking is provided adjaCent to the site (outlines in blue on the site plan) whiCh aCCommodates suffiCient spaCes and further parking Can be found on the surrounding streets, although some of this is restriCted by yellow lines. A designated CyCle route (SSA 21) passes the north of the site. Regard has been had to the poliCy approaCh in relation to aCCess presented in both national and local planning poliCy including: Planning PoliCy Wales 2016 TAN 18: Transport, TAN 12: Design, The Rhondda Cynon Taff LDP. Whilst the first floor floorspaCe will be inCreased, it is not expeCted that the development for whiCh planning permission is sought will impaCt on the parking or wider movement requirements of the Club. The property is loCated within the settlement of Rhydyfelin Close to the prinCiple town of Pontypridd whiCh offers numerous loCal serviCes inCluding a library, theatre, banks, dentist, ChurChes, sChools, publiC houses and Chemists as well as shops restaurants and takeaways. Community Safety The relationship between the built environment and Criminal and anti-soCial behaviour is Complex. Regard has therefore been had to the prinCiples of SeCured by design in the design and material choiCe of the extension in order to best secure the property and in this respect is an improvement on the Current structure and layout of the building. The building benefits from an aCtive frontage and shares the street with both residential and other CommerCial properties and as suCh benefits from natural surveillance to deter crime and limit anti-soCial behaviour. Further Consideration will be given to the installation of CCTV on the building, existing street lighting to the front provides both safe and secure routes for users of the building. An assessment of the existing rear and side boundary treatments will be made to ensure they are still fit for purpose. The building is open and in use every day and as suCh the property is ocCupied during the day and evening at various times, contributing to the sense of a community. Appropriate health and safety measures will be taken in the ConstruCtion of the extension. Environmental Sustainability LoCal ContraCtors will be employed in the ConstruCtion and ereCtion of the of the extension and the materials will be sourCed loCally in order to reduCe the Carbon footprint of the development. The material and finish Chosen (to matCh the existing building) will respond to and withstand environmental Changes over time. The energy effiCienCy of the property will not be improved by the addition of the extension. The extension is Considered to contribute to environmental sustainability by developing an existing community facility and ensuring the longevity of the use of the property. Given the nature of the development, there is little opportunity to improve the landsCape or biodiversity quality of the site. Measures will be introduCed into the new kitChen area to positively impaCt on the waste and reCyCling measures Currently employed. Following consideration the use of renewable energy is not currently considered feasible in relation to this development due to Cost and visual impact. Given the sCale of the proposed development, whiCh is minor in nature, it is Considered that this Design and AcCess statement relates appropriately to the Complexity of the proposal..